P10-10. HIV-1 Gag virus like particles pseudotyped with CD40 ligand to stimulate innate immune responses

ISSN:1742-469

A scanner system for high-resolution quantification of variation in root growth dynamics of Brassica rapa genotypes

The potential exists to breed for root system architectures that optimize resource acquisition. However, this requires the ability to screen root system development quantitatively, with high resolution, in as natural an environment as possible, with high throughput. This paper describes the construction of a low-cost, high-resolution root phenotyping platform, requiring no sophisticated equipment and adaptable to most laboratory and glasshouse environments, and its application to quantify environmental and temporal variation in root traits between genotypes of Brassica rapa L. Plants were supplied with a complete nutrient solution through the wick of a germination paper. Images of root systems were acquired without manual intervention, over extended periods, using multiple scanners controlled by customized software. Mixed-effects models were used to describe the sources of variation in root traits contributing to root system architecture estimated from digital images. It was calculated that between one and 43 replicates would be required to detect a significant difference (95% CI 50% difference between traits). Broad-sense heritability was highest for shoot biomass traits (>0.60), intermediate (0.25–0.60) for the length and diameter of primary roots and lateral root branching density on the primary root, and lower (<0.25) for other root traits. Models demonstrate that root traits show temporal variations of various types. The phenotyping platform described here can be used to quantify environmental and temporal variation in traits contributing to root system architecture in B. rapa and can be extended to screen the large populations required for breeding for efficient resource acquisition

Lyapunov instability of fluids composed of rigid diatomic molecules

We study the Lyapunov instability of a two-dimensional fluid composed of rigid diatomic molecules, with two interaction sites each, and interacting with a WCA site-site potential. We compute full spectra of Lyapunov exponents for such a molecular system. These exponents characterize the rate at which neighboring trajectories diverge or converge exponentially in phase space. Quam. These exponents characterize the rate at which neighboring trajectories diverge or converge exponentially in phase space. Qualitative different degrees of freedom -- such as rotation and translation -- affect the Lyapunov spectrum differently. We study this phenomenon by systematically varying the molecular shape and the density. We define and evaluate ``rotation numbers'' measuring the time averaged modulus of the angular velocities for vectors connecting perturbed satellite trajectories with an unperturbed reference trajectory in phase space. For reasons of comparison, various time correlation functions for translation and rotation are computed. The relative dynamics of perturbed trajectories is also studied in certain subspaces of the phase space associated with center-of-mass and orientational molecular motion.Comment: RevTeX 14 pages, 7 PostScript figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Radial distribution of dilated intercellular spaces of the esophageal squamous epithelium in patients with reflux disease exhibiting discrete endoscopic lesions

Introduction: Dilatation of intercellular spaces of the esophageal squamous epithelium has been suggested as a marker of early acid reflux-induced damage. This change is a potentially useful addition to histomorphological changes that represent so called minimal endoscopic lesions. We have assessed dilatation of intercellular spaces with regard to: (1) interobserver variability, and (2) whether the incidence of this varies between 'red streaks' and the adjacent normal looking squamous epithelium. Methods: Esophageal biopsies from 44 patients with chronic gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) were evaluated. At endoscopy, these patients had one or more red streaks on the tops of the mucosal folds in the distal esophagus. Biopsies were taken from the red streaks and from the normal-appearing mucosa 1 cm lateral to the red streaks. Biopsies were assessed in a blinded fashion by two independent pathologists (MV & RF). Criteria for assessing intercellular space dilatation were evaluated and agreed on prior to the study. Results: Good interobserver agreement was recorded (kappa = 0.82 at the streaks and 0.77 for the control tissues) for absence/presence of intercellular space dilatation. Red streak and control biopsies differed significantly (p = 0.0001), with respect to presence of dilated intercellular spaces, with 90.5 % of the former demonstrating this as present compared to 56.1% in the controls. Conclusion: This study supports the concept that esophageal mucosal minimal changes due to reflux is localised and that dilatation of intercellular spaces is an early sign of reflux-induced epithelial damage. The low interobserver variability in the assessment of intercellular space dilatation suggests that this may be a useful variable for assessment of early signs of acid-reflux induced damage to the squamous epithelium of the esophagus by use of light microscopy. Copyrigh

Bostonia

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

Evaluation of a conflict-related brown hyaena translocation in central Namibia

The distribution of the brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea) in southern Africa overlaps widely with commercial livestock ranching.As a direct result,both perceived and confirmed conflict with farmers occurs and hyaenas are trapped for lethal control or translocation.We studied the outcomes of a conflict-related brown hyaena translocation in Central Namibia involving a subadult female – the first reported GPS-monitored translocation of this species. The animal was moved 63 km from the conflict site and after exploratory movements settled into a new home range incorporating resident conspecifics. The hyaena caused no further conflict and did not return home to its original capture site where livestock depredation ceased. The hyaena was killed in a road accident five months after release. We assess and review our results (and brown hyaena translocations in general) with respect to species ecology, previous translocations as well as monitoring data from resident conspecifics.We provide supporting information that individual hyaenas can be translocated successfully but emphasize that decisions need to be made case-specifically considering the age, sex and social status of the animals. We highlight the importance of brown hyaena sociality when considering translocation as a management tool.Chester Zoo, U.K., and Colchester Zoo, U.K., for funding the GPS satellite transponders. The Brown Hyena Research Project acknowledges support from Namdeb Diamond Corporation and Nedbank’s Go Green Fund.http://www.sawma.co.zaam201

IST-2000-30148 I-METRA: D3.2 Implementation of relevant algorithms

This deliverable provides a high level description of the software developed within the I-METRA project following the selection reported in D3.1 "Design, Analysis and Selection of Suitable Algorithms".Preprin

IST-2000-30148 I-METRA: D3.1 Design, analysis and selection of suitable algorithms

This deliverable contains a description of the space-time coding algorithms to be simulated within the I-METRA project. Different families of algorithms have been selected and described in this document with the objective of evaluating their performance. One of the main objectives of the I-METRA project is to impact into the current standardisation efforts related to the introduction of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) configurations into the High Speed Downlink and Uplink Packet Access concepts of UMTS (HSDPA and HSUPA). This required a review of the current specifications for these systems and the analysis of the impact of the potential incorporation of the selected MIMO schemes.Preprin